Radio access network intelligent controller-based dynamic time division duplex communication in a radio communication network

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a process or apparatus for receiving, by a processing system including a processor, cell traffic reports for cells of a radio communication network, performing a reconfiguration analysis to identify reconfiguration information to reconfigure the radio communication network according to changing network conditions, and communicating the reconfiguration information defining a new cell configuration for the cells of the radio communication network and communicating information defining a new reconfiguration time for the cells to substantially synchronously switch to communicating according to the reconfiguration information. The receiving the cell traffic reports, the performing the reconfiguration analysis and the communicating the reconfiguration information occur in substantially real time. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/541,690 filed on Aug. 15, 2019. All sections of the aforementionedapplications and patents are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to Radio Access Network IntelligentController-based dynamic time division duplex communication in a radiocommunication network.

BACKGROUND

Communication systems employ time-division duplex (TDD) communicationtechniques. In a TDD system, a radio channel is used for both uplink anddownlink communications during designated times.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communications network in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of uplink traffic volume ina radio communication network.

FIG. 2B illustrates frame format configurations in a radio communicationsystem.

FIG. 2C illustrates slot format configurations in an exemplarynext-generation radio communication network.

FIG. 2D depicts an illustrative embodiment of a radio communicationnetwork in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2E depicts an illustrative embodiment of operation of a radiocommunication network in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for dynamically reconfiguring time division duplexcommunication, for example, in near-real time, in a radio communicationsystem. In some embodiments, this enables the subframe configurationused by a cluster of cells to be dynamically changed, for example, innear-real time, to accommodate sudden surges in traffic volume on anuplink or downlink or in a downlink to uplink ratio. Other embodimentsare described in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include communicating, bya processing system, a request for cell traffic reports to a pluralityof distributed units (DUs) of a radio communication network andreceiving cell traffic reports defining current radio trafficinformation for the plurality of DUs. The subject disclosure furtherincludes in some embodiments determining an allocation of uplink anddownlink resources for the plurality of DUs, wherein the determining isresponsive to the cell traffic reports. The subject disclosure in someembodiments includes selecting a slot format for the plurality of DUs,wherein the selecting is based on the determined allocation of uplinkand downlink resources. The subject disclosure further includes in someembodiments communicating a slot configuration instruction to theplurality of DUs, wherein the communicating the slot configurationcomprises communicating information defining the selected slot formatand information defining a reconfiguration time for the plurality of DUsto change from a current slot format to the selected slot format.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include receiving, by aprocessing system, cell traffic reports for cells of a radiocommunication network and performing a reconfiguration analysis toidentify reconfiguration information to reconfigure the radiocommunication network according to changing network conditions. Thesubject disclosure in some embodiments further includes communicatingthe reconfiguration information defining a new cell configuration forthe cells of the radio communication network and communicatinginformation defining a new reconfiguration time for the cells tosubstantially synchronously switch to communicating according to thereconfiguration information, wherein the receiving the cell trafficreports, the performing the reconfiguration analysis and thecommunicating the reconfiguration information occur in substantiallyreal time. Substantially real time, or near-real time, may includereceiving input information, processing the information and producingoutput information and communicating the output information in a nearlyinstantaneous amount of time, such as 100 ms to 1 s.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include providing a cellconfiguration to a plurality of radio devices providing radiocommunication service to a respective plurality of cells of acommunication network, providing a cell report configuration to theplurality of radio devices, and receiving, from the plurality of radiocommunication devices, cell traffic reports, wherein the cell trafficreports are received responsive to the cell report configuration. Thesubject disclosure in some embodiments further includes determining atraffic variation for one or more of the radio communication devices,wherein the determining the traffic variation is responsive to the celltraffic reports and determining cell reconfiguration information one ormore radio devices of the plurality of radio devices; wherein thedetermining the cell reconfiguration information comprises determining amodification to the cell configuration responsive to the trafficvariation. The subject disclosure in some embodiments includescommunicating, the cell reconfiguration information to the one or moreradio devices, wherein the communicating comprises communicating thecell configuration information substantially in real time with thereceiving the cell traffic reports.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a communications network 100 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. For example,communications network 100 can facilitate in whole or in part providingto cells of a radio communication network configuration information,receiving cell traffic reports about factors such as uplink and downlinkin cells of the radio communication network, determining reconfigurationinformation based on the cell traffic reports and communicating thereconfiguration information to the cells of the radio communicationnetwork. In particular, a communications network 125 is presented forproviding broadband access 110 to a plurality of data terminals 114 viaaccess terminal 112, wireless access 120 to a plurality of mobiledevices 124 and vehicle 126 via base station or access point 122, voiceaccess 130 to a plurality of telephony devices 134, via switching device132 and/or media access 140 to a plurality of audio/video displaydevices 144 via media terminal 142. In addition, communication network125 is coupled to one or more content sources 175 of audio, video,graphics, text and/or other media. While broadband access 110, wirelessaccess 120, voice access 130 and media access 140 are shown separately,one or more of these forms of access can be combined to provide multipleaccess services to a single client device (e.g., mobile devices 124 canreceive media content via media terminal 142, data terminal 114 can beprovided voice access via switching device 132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationsnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationsnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can includewired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152,154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transferpoints, service control points, network gateways, media distributionhubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and othernetwork nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic overwired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and otherpublic networks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

FIG. 2A is a diagram 200 illustrating estimates of user traffic in aradio communication network such as a wireless radio communicationnetwork functioning within the communication network 125 of FIG. 1 .Diagram 200 shows user traffic as a ratio of uplink traffic to totaltraffic for different traffic types. An uplink is a radio communicationchannel from user equipment such as a mobile device 124 in FIG. 1 tonetwork equipment such as base station or access point 122 in FIG. 1 . Adownlink is a radio communication channel from the network equipmentsuch as base station or access point 122 in FIG. 1 to the user equipmentsuch as a mobile device 124 in FIG. 1 . Diagram 200 shows uplink todownlink traffic ratio for video traffic, for audio traffic, forapplication (app) and media store traffic, for web browsing traffic, forsocial networking traffic, for file sharing traffic, for electronic mail(email) traffic and for real time communication traffic. The informationin diagram 200 is from a report entitled ITU-R M.2370-0: IMT trafficestimates for the years 2020 to 2030, published by the InternationalTelecommunications Union in 2015.

Diagram 200 illustrates traffic asymmetry in a radio communicationnetwork. Asymmetry is a difference between average traffic volume in anuplink and average traffic volume in a downlink. Asymmetry is dependenton a variety of factors, including the nature of usage in the network(voice communication versus video, for example), the average mix oftypes of usage and the mix of device types in the network, the mix ofusers in a network, service provider subscription packages, etc.

Diagram 200 illustrates that, by conventional estimates, downlinktraffic will dominate in future radio communication networks. By someestimates, downlink traffic will represent 80-90 percent of networktraffic and uplink traffic will represent 10-20 percent of networktraffic. The degree of asymmetry has changed as new communicationnetworks have been developed and built out. For example, secondgeneration (2G) networks were voice oriented so traffic between uplinkand downlink was relatively symmetric. Third generation (3G)communication networks offered relatively slow data rate applicationssuch as web browsing. Fourth generation (4G) communication networksoffered relatively high data rate applications such as video streaming.Fifth generation (5G) communication networks offer even higher data rateapplications such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive Internetof Things (mIoT), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC),virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Withgeneration-to-generation increases in available data rates, more andmore uses for available data rates have developed over time. Many ofthose uses, such as video streaming, are biased in favor of downlinkusage, increasing asymmetry in current and future networks.

Also, it has been observed that asymmetry varies according to time ofday. During morning and evening weekday traffic hours, a typical networkcarries relatively more voice traffic which tends to be moresymmetrical. Other times of the day, there is relatively more datatraffic on the downlink, so the traffic is less symmetrical.

It has also been observed that there can be sudden increases in uplinktraffic. These increases can be highly localized in geography and intime. One example occurs at the place and time of a special holidayevent or a sports event such as a championship match or game. At suchtimes, downlink traffic and uplink traffic can change rapidly. First,the total volume of downlink traffic and the total volume of uplinktraffic can change rapidly. Also, the ratio of uplink traffic todownlink traffic can change rapidly. For example, during a championshipfootball game, while the teams are playing, uplink traffic volume anddownlink traffic volume in the vicinity of the game may both berelatively light as fans are watching the game. The ratio of uplinktraffic to downlink traffic may match that of other areas, such as 80percent downlink traffic. During halftime, however, as fans take photosand send the photos to friends and family, uplink traffic may suddenlyincrease in volume as the data forming the photos is transmitted fromuser equipment to the network. The uplink to downlink ratio may decreaseduring this time. Later in halftime, as fans begin viewing online videohighlights of the game, communication of video data from the network touser equipment will increase downlink traffic volume and increase thedownlink to uplink traffic ratio. This variation is localized in area tothe vicinity where the game or match is played, and to the time of thegame or match or portions thereof. As indicated, often the variation ispredictable, occurring around a planned event at a planned location.

One solution for the problem of sudden but predictable increases intraffic volume has been to deploy additional cell sites to handle theincrease in traffic. For example, more cell towers can be built out inthe vicinity of the special holiday event or the championship game.Microcells may be installed in a facility. Mobile equipment, such as atruck with a portable cell tower and switching equipment can bedispatched to the vicinity of the event for the time of the event. Thiscan be effective, but it is expensive and inefficient to have to providethe additional equipment, especially for a short-term event lasting onlya few hours. Moreover, some variations in traffic volume and uplink todownlink ratios may be unpredictable and depend wholly on useractivities. Also, such variations can occur suddenly, with rapid spikesin uplink or downlink traffic or traffic ratio or other trafficconditions.

FIG. 2B includes a table 210 showing downlink and uplink subframeconfiguration in a conventional radio communication system. Inparticular, table 210 shows available frame configurations defined forthe Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G communication system. There are sevenpre-defined uplink-downlink configurations, labelled 0-6 in table 210.Each configuration has a different number of uplink (U) and downlink (D)subframes among the 10 subframes, numbered 0-9, of a frame. Specialsubframes (S) are used for switching from downlink to uplink. Some LTEsubframe configurations have more uplink subframes, and thus more uplinkcapacity, than other configurations. Some LTE subframe configurationshave more downlink subframes, and thus more downlink capacity, thanother configurations.

In LTE, the subframe configuration used by a cell or group of cells isset on a cell-by-cell basis. A particular subframe configuration isselected and specified for a cell or sector by a network operator. As apractical matter, LTE subframe configuration is established once and notchanged, or changed very rarely. One reason for this is that, ingeneral, adjacent cells must operate with uplink and downlink subframessynchronized. If a first cell is operating on an uplink during a timewhen an adjacent cell is operating on a downlink, the cells willexperience inter-cell interference. Inter-cell interference occurs whentransmissions in one cell block reliable communication in another cellor introduce errors in another cell. To eliminate, minimize or reduceinter-cell interference, adjacent cells are programmed by the networkoperator to have synchronized uplink and downlink frames in a TDDsystem. Changing LTE subframe configuration among the seven availableconfigurations shown in table 210 thus is not done on a cell-by-cellbasis because of the likelihood of inter-cell interference. If thenetwork operator does desire to change the TDD configuration, it must bedone for all cells of a group of cells, to prevent inter-cellinterference, and the process is time consuming. As a result, suchchanges are, as a practical matter, rarely if ever made. Any such changeof TDD configuration is not a dynamic change based on current, realtime, changing traffic or network conditions.

FIG. 2C illustrates a table 220 showing some available slot formatconfigurations in an exemplary next-generation radio communicationnetwork. In particular, table 220 shows slot format configurations for a5G new radio (NR) communication system. Fifty-six frame formats aredefined, numbered 0-55. Each frame format includes a differing number ofuplink symbols, downlink symbols and flexible symbols. The slot formatconfigurations define what activity should be occurring during a symbol.Each slot has fourteen symbols, labelled 0-13. Each symbol may bedesignated for downlink (D), uplink (U) or flexible (F). The largernumber of possible frame formats, fifty-six in the example of FIG. 2C,allows increased flexibility in a 5G NR communication system. For a NRcommunication system, in an exemplary embodiment, the slot formatconfigurations of table 220 represent a set of predetermined subframeconfigurations. In other embodiments, such as in other types of radiocommunication systems, other defined parameters and values may form aset of predetermined subframe configurations.

FIG. 2D depicts an illustrative embodiment of a radio communicationnetwork 230 in accordance with various aspects described herein. Theradio communication network 230 in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2Dincludes three cells including a first cell 232, a second cell 234 and athird cell 236. The first cell 232 is served by a first distributed unit(DU) 238. The second cell 234 is served by a second distributed unit(DU) 240. The third cell 236 is served by a third distributed unit (DU)242. The radio communication network 230 further includes a centralizedunit (CU) 246 and a radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller(RIC) 248. The CU 246 is in data communication with the core 5G network250. The three cells including the first cell 232, the second cell 234and the third cell 236 together form a cluster 252.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2D, the cluster 252 includes threecells. Particular embodiments may include any suitable number of cellsin cluster 252, depending on network requirements, traffic levels andother factors. In typical embodiment, the cluster 252 may include dozensor hundreds of cells. Also, the number of cells in the cluster 252 mayvary over time as network usage and build-out change and develop. Forexample, if cell 232 is divided into multiple smaller cells to manageincreasing traffic levels, the smaller cells may be added to the cluster252, increasing the number of cells in the cluster 252.

The radio communication network 230 implements a RAN using radio accesstechnology. In the illustrated example, Third Generation PartnershipProject (3GPP) NR 5G cellular network technology is implemented in theradio communication network. However, any suitable radio accesstechnology now known or later developed may be selected. As noted, thecluster 252 may include any suitable number of cells and it isanticipated that the cluster 252 will include a large number of cells,such as 100 cells served by 100 respective DUs.

The DUs 238, 240, 242 are logical nodes that perform a subset of eNodeBfunctions. Each respective DU provides mobile radio communicationservice to user equipment (UE) devices located in the respective cellserved by the DU. In the example of FIG. 2D, each respective DU 238,240, 242 is one DU of a cluster 252 of DUs serving respectivegeographically contiguous areas defined by the respective cells 232,234, 236 and operating substantially synchronously so that uplinktransmissions are substantially synchronous among the DUs 238, 240, 242of the cluster 252 and downlink transmissions are substantiallysynchronous among the DUs 238, 240, 242 of the cluster 252 to limitinter-cell interference.

Each DU of the cluster 252, including first DU 238, second DU 240 andthird DU 242, is in communication with the CU 246. In some embodiments,each respective DU is a remote radio head (RRH) or remote radio unit(RRU), providing radio frequency (RF) communication with UE in eachrespective cell. Each DU, including first DU 238, second DU 240 andthird DU 242, may communicate with the CU 246 using fiber optic cable orother means of data communication.

The CU 246 provides control of the respective DUs in the radiocommunication network 230. The CU 246 is a logical node that performs asubset of eNodeB functions. Such functions may include transfer of userdata, mobility control, radio access network sharing, positioning,session management, for example. The CU 246 provide baseband centralcontrol. The CU 246 generally controls the respective DUs. The split offunctionality between the CU 246 and DUs such as DU 238, DU 240, and DU242, is established by the network operator.

The CU 246 operates in conjunction with the RIC 248. The RIC 248 is anetwork element that controls certain aspects of the communicationnetwork 230. The RIC 248 provides access to some functions of thecommunication network 230. The RIC 248 may control operation of the CU246 and respective DUs in the communication network 230.

In some embodiments, the RIC 248 operates in near-real time fashion andin non-real time fashion. Generally, non-real time operation occurs in atime frame greater than one second. Near-real time operation occurs in atime frame less than one second. Non-real time functions include serviceand policy management, RAN analytics, and others. Near-real timefunctions may include load-balancing, interference detection andmitigation, quality of service management and handover control. In someapplications, the RIC may receive information from a DU or a CU innear-real time, such as 50-100 ms. Such information may include how manyUE are connected to a DU, information about UE throughput or cellthroughput, etc. For example, a DU may make a determination of itscurrent uplink to downlink traffic ratio and communicate informationabout that ratio to the CU for reception by the DU, all within 50-100ms. All such information about network usage and conditions can bepassed from the respective DU or CU 246 to the RIC 248.

Because of this near-real time operation, the RIC 248 can collect andact on rapidly changing network conditions. For example, at some timesin some locations, volume of traffic between UEs and one or more DUs canbe bursty or can vary rapidly. In the case of a holiday or a particularevent, the mix of uplink and downlink traffic can change, and can changevery rapidly. The RIC 248, with near-real time access to information,can manage the communication network 230 including the CU 246 and DUssuch as DU 238, DU 240 and DU 242 to respond to the changing conditionsin near-real time fashion. The RIC 248 can know nearly instantaneouslyabout current traffic conditions and cell loading for all cells in thecluster 252, for example. And the RIC 248 can control configuration ofeach DU in the cluster and the CU 246 to respond to rapidly changingconditions such as cell loading.

In one particular example, the RIC 248 can respond to changing trafficconditions in the communication network 230 by changing the subframeconfiguration of respective DUs in the cluster 252. In FIG. 2D, eachcell of the cluster 252, including cell 232, cell 234 and cell 236, isillustrated with a usage graph showing relative uplink-downlink trafficsplit or traffic conditions at a particular moment in time. In theillustrated example, cell 234 has slightly less downlink (DL) thanuplink (UL) traffic, based on the usage graph. Cell 232 has slightlyheavier downlink traffic than uplink traffic, based on the usage graph.And cell 236 has substantially more downlink traffic than uplinktraffic, according to the illustrated usage graph. In some embodiments,information about these usage levels will be reported to the RIC 248 andthe RIC 248 can respond by reconfiguring some aspect of thecommunication network 230.

In some embodiments, reconfiguration of the communication network mayinclude changing subframe configuration in the communication network230. Referring again to FIG. 2C, that drawing figure shows an exemplaryset of possible subframe configurations. Different respective subframeconfigurations have different numbers of downlink (D) and uplink (U)subframes. For example, subframe configuration 0 has all downlinksubframes for all 14 symbol numbers. Similarly, subframe configuration 1has all uplink subframes for all 14 symbol numbers. Typical currentnetwork traffic may be 80 percent downlink traffic. However, in theevent of a sudden burst of uplink traffic in an area, such as during asporting contest or championship game, the RIC 248 can direct all cellsor DUs in cluster 252 to switch to subframe configuration 1, with alluplink subframes, in order to handle the burst of uplink traffic.Because the RIC 248 has near-real time access to information about thenetwork, e.g., on the order of 100 msec., the RIC 248 can react tosudden changes in near-real time, such as within a range of 100 ms to 1second.

Moreover, because of the near-real time operation of the communicationnetwork 230, the respective DUs of the cluster 252 will be reconfiguredto subframe configuration 1 as directed by the RIC 248 substantiallysimultaneously, such as on the order of 100 msec. Because of thesubstantially simultaneous reconfiguration, the DUs of the cluster 252remain synchronized in terms of uplink and downlink configuration.Because of this synchronization, no significant intercell interferenceis introduced when the DUs or eNodeBs or cells of the cluster 252 arereconfigured. In another example, other than substantially simultaneousreconfiguration, reconfiguration of one or more cells of a cluster oradjacent cells can occur within a predetermined synchronizationthreshold of time, wherein the threshold of time is an amount of timethat can facilitate avoiding or mitigating intercell interference, ormaintaining measured intercell interference below a predeterminedthreshold level, or for avoiding or mitigating any other suitableperformance or quality parameter. Further, the DUs or eNodeBs can befrequently reconfigured as network traffic or loading or othercommunications may dictate. Even bursty traffic conditions can beaccommodated while minimizing the risk of inter-cell interference.

In this manner, by making use of the near-real time operation of the RIC248, the time domain duplexing of communication in the communicationnetwork 230 becomes truly dynamic. A traffic condition can be sensed andreported to the RIC 248, including a sudden burst of traffic volume onan uplink or downlink basis. The reporting can occur in, for example,100 msec. The RIC 248 can detect the change in traffic conditions and,responsive to the change in traffic conditions, can direct a change innetwork configuration, such as selecting a new subframe configurationfor the cells of the cluster 252. The change in configuration can becommunicated to the CU 246 and to the respective DUs, including DU 238,DU 240 and DU 242. The DUs will then substantially simultaneouslyreconfigure to the new subframe configuration. There will besubstantially no intercell interference.

In embodiments where the network reconfiguration involves selecting anew subframe configuration, the RIC 248 can select a subframeconfiguration using any suitable determination or calculation. In oneexample, the RIC 248 can determine respective cell traffic informationfrom the cell traffic reports received from the cells. In anotherexample, the RIC 248 can determine an average of downlink traffic touplink traffic ratio within the cluster 252. Responsive to thecalculated average, the RIC 248 selects a subframe configuration orotherwise reconfigures the communication network 230. The RIC 248communicates information about the reconfiguration, such as the subframeconfiguration to be used by each DU in the cluster 252, to the CU 246which communicates the information to each respective DU of the cluster252.

In another example, when determining a reconfiguration, the RIC 248 canassign a weight value to data for a particular cell or DU if thatparticular cell or DU is considered to be relatively more important orless important than other cells of the cluster 252. For example, in theillustrated example of FIG. 2D, a sporting event is occurring in thearea served by cell 236 and, at the illustrated time, there is heavydownlink traffic. Because of the sporting event at that time, data andperformance of cell 236 might be weighted particularly heavily relativeto other cells of the cluster such as cell 232 and cell 234. In anotherexample, one cell of the cluster 252 carries a relatively large portionof traffic in the cluster and so is weighted heavily. Or, eachrespective cell of the cluster 252 may be weighted according to theproportion of traffic the cell carries of total cluster traffic. Forexample, if cell 232 carries fifty percent of all traffic in thecluster, and cell 234 and cell 236 each carry twenty-five percent oftraffic in the cluster, each respective cell may be weighted accordinglywhen determining network reconfiguration at the RIC 248. Any suitableweighting determination may be made. A weighted average of downlink touplink traffic ratio may be calculated for the cells of the cluster,where the downlink to uplink ratio for one or more cells of the clusteris given a weight by the RIC 248.

Moreover, downlink to uplink ratio is one example of network data thatmay be used to reconfigure a network by the RIC 248. Any suitableinformation may be used by the RIC 248 to reconfigure the network, suchas the number of UE present in the cell. The RIC 248 has access tonear-real time information about network performance, loading andoperation. The RIC 248 can use any of this information to reconfigureany number of cells of the cluster 252 or other components of thecommunication network 230 and do so on a near-real time basis.

FIG. 2E depicts an illustrative embodiment of operation of a radiocommunication network in accordance with various aspects describedherein. FIG. 2E shows communication among a radio access networkintelligent controller (RIC), a central unit (CU) and one or moredistributed units (DUs) such as the RIC 248, the CU 246 and the DUsincluding DU 238, DU 240 and DU 242 of FIG. 2D. The RIC generallyprovides command and control operation of a radio access networkincluding one or more CUs and a plurality of DUs. In the example of FIG.2E, the DU is one DU of a cluster of DUs serving geographicallycontiguous areas and operating substantially synchronously so thatuplink transmissions are substantially synchronous among the DUs of thecluster and downlink transmissions are substantially synchronous amongthe DUs of the cluster to limit inter-cell interference. The RICprovides cell configuration information to the CU and to the DUs of thecluster and other equipment in the network. In one example, the RICprovides subframe configuration, such as one of the predeterminedsubframe configurations illustrated in FIG. 2C. The configurationinformation provided by the RIC permits the DUs to operate to reliablyprovide communication services to cells used by the DUs, includingminimizing inter-cell interference among cells of the cluster.

At step 256, the RIC sends a Cell Traffic Report Configuration to theCU. The Cell Traffic Report Configuration may be any suitablecommunication and may include information such as what information eachDU should report to the RIC, how frequently to report, such as every 10ms or every 100 ms, or even a schedule for reporting specifiedinformation. The Cell Traffic Report Configuration may include a requestfor cell traffic reports from each DU or a subset of DUs in a radiocommunication network. Alternatively, the Cell Traffic ReportConfiguration may include any suitable command and control informationor request for information from the CU or DUs. Information that shouldbe reported by the DU may include, for example, a number of UEregistered with the DU, uplink and downlink loading, communicationthroughput, other key performance indicators, etc. At step 258, the CUwill forward the Cell Traffic Report Configuration to each DU, forexample to each DU of a specified cluster of DUs.

At step 260, the DU communicates a Cell Traffic Report to the CUresponsive to receiving the Cell Traffic Report Configuration. The CellTraffic Report may include any suitable information specified by theRIC. Examples include current downlink to uplink traffic ratio,information about current downlink traffic and uplink traffic, how manyusers are currently connected to the DU, etc. Any other information maybe specified by the RIC and collected and reported by the DU, includinghistorical information maintained at the DU such as traffic loading overtime or information about throughput or any suitable key performanceindicator. The information reported will depend on the reconfigurationanalysis to be performed by the RIC. At step 262, the Cell TrafficReport is forwarded by the CU to the RIC. In some embodiments, eachrespective DU in a cluster provides a Cell Traffic Report to the RIC. Insome embodiment, each Cell Traffic Report is provided at the periodicityor frequency specified by the RIC in the Cell Traffic ReportConfiguration, and includes the information specified by the RIC. Inother embodiments, the RIC instructs the cells to provide the CellTraffic Reports according to a schedule, such as every second oraccording to any other measure. The Cell Traffic Report may be providedand received in near-real time, such as in 100 ms to 1 second.

At step 264, the RIC performs a reconfiguration analysis to identifyneeded reconfiguration in the communication network according tochanging network conditions. The changing network conditions may includechanges in uplink traffic or changes in downlink traffic, eitherinstantaneous or averaged over time or location; changing downlink touplink traffic ratios; changing uplink to downlink ratios; changing ornew peak traffic value or changing median traffic values; changingnumbers of UE in one or more cells; or any other dynamic informationabout network performance or configuration. For example, the RIC mayprocess the information contained in the respective Cell Traffic Reportsreceived from the DUs. In the example of FIG. 2E, the RIC calculates anaverage traffic ratio of downlink traffic to uplink traffic separatelyfor each DU in a cluster or for each cluster in the communicationnetwork, or some combination of these. In other embodiments, sometraffic-related feature other than downlink traffic and uplink trafficmay be used for the reconfiguration analysis. Examples includethroughput, number of UE connected to the DU or some key performanceindicator of interest. For each cluster, the RIC will decide the optimalconfiguration. For example, the RIC will determine what downlink touplink configuration to specify for the cluster. Responsive to thisdetermination, the RIC will select a subframe configuration. This may bedone, for example, using the permitted subframe configurations of FIG.2C.

The RIC may use any suitable calculation, data processing or decisiontree in the reconfiguration analysis. For example, the RIC may assign aweight to the information of one or more cells of a cluster. The weightmay be based on a particular relative importance of the one or morecells. If a cell is serving a particular facility such as a sportsfacility or a hospital, the data for the cell may be weighted relativelyheavily. If the cell is currently serving a high-priority event, such asa championship sporting event, the cell may be weighted relativelyheavily. If the cell is currently lightly populated, i.e., the cell hasrelatively few UE connected, the cell may be weighted relatively lightlycompared to other cells. Any suitable weighting scheme may be used, andthe weights may be used to weight any data or factors or calculation. Inthe example of FIG. 2E, the assigned weights are used to weight downlinkto uplink traffic ratios when determining a weighted average trafficratio for the cluster. Step 264 includes selecting a reconfiguration forthe cluster. In the example of FIG. 2E, the RIC determines a NR slotconfiguration or a slot format.

At step 266, reconfiguration information is communicated from the RIC tothe CU. In the example of FIG. 2E, the NR slot configuration iscommunicated to the CU by the RIC. At step 268, the CU communicates thereconfiguration to the respective DUs of the communication network. Inthe example of FIG. 2E, the NR slot configuration is communicated by theCU to the respective DUs. In some examples, depending on the nature ofthe reconfiguration, the reconfiguration information may be identicalfor all DUs of the cluster. For example, where the reconfigurationinformation includes the NR slot configuration, the slot configurationwill be identical for all DUs of the cluster. All DUs must besynchronized for downlink and uplink communication and so will use thesame slot configuration. In other examples, the reconfigurationinformation may be different for some or all DUs of the cluster.

At step 270, the DU applies the reconfiguration information toreconfigure the DU. In the illustrated example, the NR slotconfiguration is changed according to the reconfiguration information.Other reconfiguration changes may be made as well. In some embodiments,the reconfiguration information may be provided to the DUs substantiallyin real time or in near-real time, such as in 100 msec. The slotconfiguration will be changed for all DUs substantially simultaneouslyfor all DU in a cluster to minimize intercell interference.

In some embodiments, the process of FIG. 2E can be performedrepetitively so as to be truly dynamic. After step 270, control mayreturn to step 258, for example, where the DUs continually provide CellTraffic Reports to the RIC. This may be done, for example, periodicallyor according to a schedule. Moreover, the frequency of adjustment may bevaried based on any suitable factor, such as traffic volume, uplink todownlink ratio, time factors such as time of day of geographical factorssuch as relatively heavy or light traffic, or traffic peaks, in one ormore cells. As the RIC determines that additional subsequentreconfigurations are necessary, subsequent reconfiguration informationis sent to the DUs to reconfigure the DUs of a cluster. In this way, asnetwork conditions change in the communication network, the DUs of thenetwork can be reconfigured to adapt to the changing conditions.Adaptation can be done substantially in real time or on a near-real timebasis to accommodate even the most rapid changes in the network.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of communication processesin FIG. 2E, it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimedsubject matter is not limited by the order of the communicationprocesses, as some communication processes may occur in different ordersand/or concurrently with other communication processes from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustratedcommunication processes may be required to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular, avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of communicationnetwork 100, the subsystems and functions of communication network 230of FIG. 2D, and the operations illustrated in FIG. 2E. For example,virtualized communication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in partreceiving wireless access traffic reports, determining reconfigurationinformation such as a new subframe configuration and communicating thereconfiguration information, all in near-real time.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general purpose processors or general purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1 ),such as an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it'selastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized, and might require special DSP code andanalog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included intransport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transportlayer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements don't typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higheravailability than its former monolithic version. These virtual networkelements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using anorchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computingenvironment 375 and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these thirdparty locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332,334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 canfacilitate in whole or in part providing dynamic time division duplexcommunication in a network including the one or more aspects of thecomputing environment, such as by receiving wireless access trafficreports, determining reconfiguration information such as a new subframeconfiguration and communicating the reconfiguration information, all innear-real time.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that while any functions and features described hereinin association with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory”herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4 , the example environment can comprise acomputer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, asystem memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 402,such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or,to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can beconnected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, amagnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412,comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and apointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through aninput device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 402 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remotecomputer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can beconnected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprisea modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitatein whole or in part a process of receiving information such as wirelessaccess traffic reports about uplink and downlink traffic in a cluster ofcells in a wireless network, determining reconfiguration informationsuch as a new subframe configuration that will vary network capacityaccording to changing traffic conditions and communicating thereconfiguration information, all in near-real time. In one or moreembodiments, the mobile network platform 510 can generate and receivesignals transmitted and received by base stations or access points suchas base station or access point 122. Generally, mobile network platform510 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers,or disparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g.,internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM))and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well ascontrol generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As anon-limiting example, mobile network platform 510 can be included intelecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-sidecomponents as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 510comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which can interface CS traffic receivedfrom legacy networks like telephony network(s) 540 (e.g., publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN))or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 canauthorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising from suchnetworks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, orroaming, data generated through SS7 network 560; for instance, mobilitydata stored in a visited location register (VLR), which can reside inmemory 530. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based trafficand signaling and PS gateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTSnetwork, CS gateway node(s) 512 can be realized at least in part ingateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated thatfunctionality and specific operation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PSgateway node(s) 518, and serving node(s) 516, is provided and dictatedby radio technology(ies) utilized by mobile network platform 510 fortelecommunication over a radio access network 520 with other devices,such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550,enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to benoted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises servingnode(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bymobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobilenetwork platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 510. To that end, the one or more processor can executecode instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It should beappreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 5 , and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6 , an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via either communications network 125, a process ofreceiving information such as wireless access traffic reports in anetwork such as communications network 125 about uplink and downlinktraffic from mobile devices such as mobile devices 124 operating among acluster of cells in a wireless network, determining reconfigurationinformation such as a new subframe configuration that will vary networkcapacity according to changing traffic conditions and communicating thereconfiguration information, all in near-real time.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect howmuch surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of thetouch screen display. This sensing information can be used to controlthe manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the userinterface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 600 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . ,xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is,f(x)=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilisticand/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysisutilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desiresto be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is anexample of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates byfinding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which thehypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from thenon-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachescomprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: communicating, by aprocessing system of a radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller(RIC), the processing system including a processor, a request for celltraffic reports to a plurality of cells of a RAN cluster of cells of aradio communication network; performing, by the processing system of theRIC, a reconfiguration analysis to identify reconfiguration informationto reconfigure the RAN cluster of cells of the radio communicationnetwork according to changing network conditions, wherein thereconfiguration analysis is based on received cell traffic reports atthe RIC responsive to the request for cell traffic reports for theplurality of cells of the RAN cluster of cells; communicating, by theprocessing system of the RIC, information defining a new cellconfiguration; communicating, by the processing system of the RIC, acell reconfiguration time for the RAN cluster of cells to switch tocommunicating according to the reconfiguration information the cellreconfiguration time comprising a time for the RAN cluster of cells tosubstantially synchronously switch to communicating according to thereconfiguration information to maintain measured inter-cell interferenceamong the RAN cluster of cells below a predetermined threshold level;and communicating the cell reconfiguration time to the RAN cluster ofcells; and wherein the communicating the request for cell trafficreports, receiving the cell traffic reports, the performing thereconfiguration analysis and the communicating the cell reconfigurationtime occur in substantially real time.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe performing the reconfiguration analysis comprises selecting, by theprocessing system, a new slot configuration to accommodate a change incommunication traffic in the RAN cluster of cells of the radiocommunication network.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:receiving, by the processing system, cell traffic reports for cells ofthe RAN cluster of cells of the radio communication network, wherein thecells of the RAN cluster of cells communicate the cell traffic reportsresponsive to the request for cell traffic reports; and determining, bythe processing system, the change in communication traffic in the RANcluster of cells of the radio communication network based on the celltraffic reports.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the selecting the newslot configuration comprises: determining, by the processing system, anaverage traffic ratio for the RAN cluster of cells of the radiocommunication network; and selecting, by the processing system, a newsubframe configuration for the RAN cluster of cells, wherein theselecting the new subframe configuration is responsive to the averagetraffic ratio.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the selecting the newsubframe configuration comprises: determining, by the processing system,an average downlink to uplink ratio for the RAN cluster of cells fromrespective downlink to uplink traffic ratios for respective cells of theRAN cluster of cells; and selecting a subframe configuration as the newsubframe configuration from a set of predetermined subframeconfigurations based on the average downlink to uplink ratio.
 6. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the selecting the new subframe configurationcomprises: determining, by the processing system, from the cell trafficreports, respective cell traffic information for respective cells of theRAN cluster of cells; weighting, by the processing system, therespective cell traffic information to produce weighted cell trafficinformation; determining, by the processing system, a weighted averagecell traffic value for the RAN cluster of cells from the respectiveweighted traffic information; and selecting a subframe configuration asthe new subframe configuration from a set of predetermined subframeconfigurations based on the weighted average cell traffic value.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the performing the reconfiguration analysiscomprises: identifying, by the processing system, a change in number ofuser equipment (UE) devices connected to the RAN cluster of cells of theradio communication network; and selecting, by the processing system, anew slot configuration to accommodate the change in number of UE devicesconnected to the RAN cluster of cells of the radio communicationnetwork.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: defining, by theprocessing system, the RAN cluster of cells including a plurality ofadjoining cells serving geographically contiguous areas; andcommunicating, by the processing system, a cell traffic reportconfiguration to at least some cells of the RAN cluster of cells,wherein the communicating the cell traffic report configurationcomprises instructing the at least some cells to provide the celltraffic reports, including defining a reporting schedule for the atleast some cells to provide the cell traffic reports.
 9. Anon-transitory machine-readable medium, comprising executableinstructions that, when executed by a processing system including aprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, the operationscomprising: receiving, from a plurality of radio devices which provideradio communication service to a plurality of cells of a communicationnetwork, cell traffic reports, wherein the cell traffic reports arereceived responsive to a cell report configuration including a requestfor cell traffic reports from the plurality of radio devices, whereinrespective cell traffic reports include respective cell traffic data forrespective cells of the plurality of cells of the communication network;determining a relative importance of one or more selected cells based ona particular geographic location of the one or more selected cells or aparticular time of day; assigning a weight value to selected celltraffic data of the one or more selected cells according to the relativeimportance of the one or more selected cells; determining a trafficvariation for one or more radio devices of the plurality of radiodevices, wherein the determining the traffic variation is based on thecell traffic reports; determining a modification to a cell configurationof the plurality of cells of the communication network responsive to thetraffic variation and the weight value; and communicating, cellreconfiguration information to the one or more radio devices, the cellreconfiguration information being based on the modification to the cellconfiguration, wherein the communicating comprises communicating thecell reconfiguration information substantially in real time withreceiving the cell report configuration and the receiving the celltraffic reports.
 10. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim9, wherein the operations further comprise: determining an initialsubframe configuration for the plurality of radio devices; providing theinitial subframe configuration to the plurality of radio devices;determining an updated cell configuration responsive to trafficvariation for the one or more of the radio devices; and providing theupdated cell configuration to the one or more of the radio devices withthe cell reconfiguration information.
 11. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the operations furthercomprise: receiving, with the cell traffic reports, information aboutuplink radio communications and downlink radio communications byrespective radio devices of the plurality of radio devices; determiningan average traffic value for the plurality of radio devices based on theinformation about uplink radio communications and downlink radiocommunications; and selecting an updated subframe configuration for theplurality of radio devices, based on the average traffic value and toreduce inter-cell interference among the plurality of cells of thecommunication network.
 12. The non-transitory machine-readable medium ofclaim 11, further comprising averaging the information about uplinkradio communications and downlink radio communications to determine theaverage traffic value for the plurality of radio devices, includingdetermining an average traffic ratio of downlink to uplink traffic forthe plurality of radio devices.
 13. The non-transitory machine-readablemedium of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving,with the cell traffic reports, information about respective numbers ofuser equipment (UE) devices connected to respective radio devices of theplurality of radio devices, and wherein the determining the cellreconfiguration information comprises determining a modification to thecell configuration responsive to the respective numbers of UE devices.14. A radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC) for aradio access network (RAN), comprising: a processing system including aprocessor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations,the operations comprising: receiving cell traffic reports definingcurrent radio traffic information for a plurality of distributed units(DUs) of the RAN; determining a selected slot format for the pluralityof DUs, wherein the determining is responsive to the cell trafficreports; communicating, by the processing system, a slot configurationinstruction to the plurality of DUs, the slot configuration instructionincluding information defining the selected slot format; andcommunicating information defining a reconfiguration time for theplurality of DUs to change from a current slot format to the selectedslot format, wherein the receiving the cell traffic reports, and thecommunicating the slot configuration instruction occur substantially inreal time, wherein the plurality of DUs are responsive to thereconfiguration time to change from the current slot format to theselected slot format substantially simultaneously to maintain measuredinter-cell interference among the plurality of DUs below a predeterminedthreshold level.
 15. The RIC of claim 14, wherein the operations furthercomprise: communicating, by the processing system, a request for celltraffic reports to a plurality of DUs of the RAN, wherein the pluralityof DUs communicate the cell traffic reports responsive to the requestfor cell traffic reports.
 16. The RIC of claim 14, further comprising:determining an allocation of uplink and downlink resources for theplurality of DUs responsive to the cell traffic reports, wherein thedetermining an allocation of uplink and downlink resources comprises,determining an average of downlink to uplink traffic ratio for theplurality of DUs.
 17. The RIC of claim 16, wherein the determining anaverage of downlink to uplink traffic ratio for the plurality of DUscomprises determining a weighted average of downlink to uplink trafficratio for the plurality of DUs.
 18. The RIC of claim 17, wherein thedetermining an allocation of uplink and downlink resources comprises,determining a weight for each respective DU of the plurality of DUs,determining a weighted average for the plurality of DUs, and selecting aslot format for the plurality of DUs based on the weighted average. 19.The RIC of claim 18, wherein the selecting a slot format for theplurality of DUs comprises determining an identical slot configurationfor all DUs of the plurality of DUs.
 20. The RIC of claim 14, furthercomprising; detecting, by the processing system, a change incommunication traffic in plurality of DUs of the RAN; and selecting, bythe processing system, a new slot configuration to accommodate thechange in communication traffic in the plurality of DUs of the RAN.